Lets take a slow boat to china. leave from south carolinaLets take our time and go the long wayOn a junk boat to thailand with your hand in mine handI sure hope we got something to sayWell, this old boats go no sail so won't you please hold our mail-For awhileThanks anyway pal but the suez canal -Ain't our style

Lets take a slow boat to china and maybe well find aNew way to play those same old gamesThe stars just might show us and the captain will know usShake our hands and call us by our first namesWell send a postcard to grandpa of a vase or rickshaw-He don't careWell buy mom a kimono or maybe well just phone her -When were there

Well drink sake at night beneath the soft harbor lights-On the bayWell build house on the hill next to shangri-li bill -And well stay